Jan Zumbach

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jan Zumbach
14 April 1915–3 January 1986

Gen. Władysław Sikorski presenting Order of Virtuti Militari to Jan Zumbach
Place of birth Ursynów, Congress Poland, Russian Empire
Place of death France
Allegiance Poland
Service/branch Polish Air Force
Royal Air Force
Years of service 1934–1946
Rank Wing Commander
Commands held 303 Squadron (1942–1943)
Battles/wars World War II
*Battle of Britain
Awards Virtuti Militari
Polish Cross of Valour (4 awards)
Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar

Jan Eugeniusz Ludwig Zumbach (14 April 1915, Ursynów, Congress Poland, Russian Empire – 3 January 1986, France) was a Polish fighter pilot who became an ace during the Second World War.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early years

The son of Polish-born Swiss parents, Jan Zumbach was registered as a Swiss citizen and hid his nationality in order to join the Polish army in 1934. He served as an infantryman until 1936, when he transferred to the Polish Air Force. After graduating from flying training in 1938, he was posted to 111 Eskadra Mysliwska.

[edit] Second World War

Zumbach did not fly during the German invasion of Poland due to a broken leg which he received in a flying accident during the summer of 1939. He returned to his unit only to be evacuated to France, via Rumania. While in France he flew the Morane 406 and Curtiss Hawk 75 with GCII/55. In June 1940 he traveled to England by boat, and on August 2, he received a posting to become one of the founding members of the No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron.

During the Battle of Britain, Zumbach scored eight confirmed kills and one probable, mostly against Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters. A Luftwaffe pilot flying a Bf 109 shot Zumbach down over Dover on May 9, 1941, when he was returning from a mission, but fortunately he bailed out unharmed.

Zumbach became one of the first Allied pilots to experience combat with the German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 when he damaged, and was damaged by, a "single radial-engined fighter" on October 13, he had returned to 303 Sqn as a flight commander. In May he was promoted to Squadron Leader and took command of the squadron, a post he held from May 19, 1942, until November 30, 1943.

During this period, Zumbach flew three Spitfire VBs, carrying the serial numbers BM144, EP594 and EN951. All these aircraft carried the same code, RF-D, "RF" being the squadron code for 303 Sqn, and "D" being the individual aircraft code. All three aircraft carried a cartoon of Donald Duck on the port side of the fuselage, slightly forward of the cockpit. Zumbach's victory tally was marked with German crosses under the cockpit on the port side; confirmed kills were outlined in white, probable kills in red, and damaged aircraft with no outline.

After handing over command of 303 Sqn to Sqn Ldr Bieńkowski Zumbach spent a year in staff appointments, including at the Polish Air Force Staff College. He returned to flying duties as the commander of the 2nd Polish Air Wing, No 133 Wing. On September 25, 1944, he scored his final victory of the war, a probable kill against an Fw 190 over Arnhem.

On January 30, 1945, he was posted to a non-flying tour at HQ No. 84 Group. While flying an Auster that was used to visit units under the Group's command, Zumbach made a navigational error and ran out of fuel. He force-landed in enemy territory and spent the final month of the war as a prisoner of war. His final victory tally was 13 confirmed kills, five probables and one damaged.

[edit] Post-Second World War

Zumbach was demobilised in October 1946 but continued to fly for a living. Under a Swiss passport, he flew contraband around Southern Europe and the Middle East.

In January 1962 he was contracted to organise and command the key segment of Katanga, commanding it until December 1962 (KAT Fouga Magisters became operational during July 1961. By October 1961, the Avikat was reinforced with five West German Dornier Do.28As). He went on to deal in second-hand aircraft before again becoming a mercenary as he organised and commanded the air force of Biafra, flying the B-26 Invader, using the nom de guerre of John Brown.

In 1975, he published his autobiography, originally available in French under the title Mister Brown: Aventures dans le ciel, it was subsequently published in German and English under the title On Wings of War: My Life as a Pilot Adventurer.

He died 3 January 1986, in France and was buried at Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw, Poland.

[edit] Decorations

For his endeavours Jan Zumbach was decorated with the Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari; the Polish Cross of Valour (with 3 bars); and the Distinguished Flying Cross (with bar). Note that Virtuti Militari Crosses are the most prestigious Polish military awards.

[edit] References

  • Olson, Lynne and Stanley Cloud. A Question of Honor: the Kościuszko Squadron in World War II. New York: Random House, 2003. ISBN 0-375-41197-6.
  • Zumbach, Jan. Ostatnia Walka (The Final Battle). Warsaw: Echo, 2000. ISBN 83-87162-00-0.
  • Zumbach, Jean (sic). On Wings of War: My Life as a Pilot Adventurer. London: Corgi, 1977. ISBN 0-552-10521-X.

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Zumbach, Jan
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Polish fighter pilot who became an ace while flying with the British Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
DATE OF BIRTH 14 April 1915
PLACE OF BIRTH Ursynów, Congress Poland, Russian Empire
DATE OF DEATH 3 January 1986
PLACE OF DEATH France
Languages